A wild paved road to the summit of Mount Wellington in Tasmania

Mount Wellington is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,265m (4,150ft) above sea level, located in the southeast coastal region of Tasmania. It’s said to be the highest and busiest sealed alpine road in the country.

Kunanyi/Mount Wellington

Where is Mount Wellington?

The peak is located near the city of Hobart, on the southern part of the country.

Can you drive to the summit of Mt Wellington?

The road to the summit, also known as Kunanyi, is totally sealed. It’s called Pinnacle Road (C616) and was completed in 1937. The drive is part of the experience, a little scary for those with a fear of heights, there is not much walking as you can drive right to the top. It is narrow with steep embankments.

How long is the road to Mt Wellington?

Starting on the B64 road, in Fern Tree (in the Hobart LGA region of Tasmania), the road to the summit is 11.5 km (7.14 miles) long.

What does Kunanyi mean?

Tucked away within the Wellington Park, Kunanyi means 'mountain' in palawa kani, the language of Tasmanian Aborigines.

Is the road to Mt Wellington open?

Set high in the Wellington Range, always check the weather forecast before you start your journey: adverse conditions are common. The road is open all year unless snow, ice or other severe weather conditions pose a risk to the public. Check the City of Hobart website for road closures. The summit is well known to experience biting cold winds which sweep across the mountain range. In the winter it frequently snows and the mountain is often snowcapped. Ice can create invisible and very slippery, dangerous driving conditions.

Is Pinacle Road steep?

The road to the summit is very steep, hitting a 10% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at Fern Tree, the ascent is 11.5 km (7.14 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 820 meters. The average gradient is 7.13%.

How long does it take to drive up Mount Wellington?

To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 30 and 45 minutes. The summit hosts a few radio and television transmitters. The Pinnacle Observation Shelter at the summit of Kunanyi/Mount Wellington is open to the public during the summer months (daylight savings) from 8 am-8 pm, and during the winter months from 8 am-4.30 pm. On a clear day, you can almost see forever from here. Even Charles Darwin marveled at the view, which he described in The Voyage of the Beagle. The road passes through temperate rainforest to sub-alpine flora and glacial rock formations and ends with panoramic views of Hobart, Bruny Island, the D'Entrecasteux Channel, and into the South West Wilderness.